Christmas is a time for fantastic gifts, family gatherings and watching heartwarming films on the telly next to a tree sparkling with lights and baubles.

And let’s not forget what else Christmas is known for: Food.

More specifically, Christmas dinner.

Traditionally, people opt for turkey served with stuffing, roast potatoes, vegetables (especially sprouts), cranberry sauce and then follow that feast with some Christmas pudding and mince pies.

And while you may be tempted to grab a frozen turkey from the local supermarket, there are many independent retailers and farms in the region that offer an alternative way of buying the bird for your festive dinner table.

Caldecott Farms

WHERE: Holly Farm, Batemans Lane, Wythall, Worcestershire, B47 6NG.

TEL: 01564 829380

This farm produces 60,000 turkeys for the Christmas market, along with 150,000 chickens.

There’s the free-range bronze turkey - which roams between light, airy buildings and pasture at the 40-acre farm - and also the barn-reared white turkey.

The turkeys are available at 400 butchers shops across the UK. Free-range chicken and cockerels are also available.

WHAT THEY SAID: “We have a passionate commitment to the welfare of our poultry ensuring that production processes are humane, hygienic and efficient. No growth promoters or additives are used.

"A mix of traditional and modern farming methods guarantee the finest quality Christmas turkey with full traceability back to our farms. Our Christmas turkeys are raised using traditional methods complemented by exceedingly high welfare and hygiene procedures. Independent inspections endorse our endeavours to maintain these high standards."

Talton Mill Farm Shop

Talton Mill has locally-produced, oven-ready, free range turkey, cockerels, goose, duck and chicken available to order for Christmas.

WHAT THEY SAID: "At Talton Mill Farm Shop we know that food is at the heart of Christmas. We make it our merry mission to provide you with the freshest, tastiest food so you can have truly memorable feasts over the festive period.

"Our knowledgeable butchery staff are on hand to advise you on the best, most succulent cuts of meat. From locally sourced turkeys, geese and ducks to our home reared beef and pork, cockerel, gammon, ham, bacon and homemade sausages. Local venison is also available. All the trimmings are here at Talton Mill too."

WHAT THEY SAID: "Ever since the day we started business in 1983, Heart of England Farms in Warwickshire have been rearing Christmas turkeys in the way people want – by traditional methods. We believe that the best food is local.

"Our customers can be assured with confidence of a supreme flavoured Christmas bird, produced to the highest of standards of food safety and animal welfare.

"We are members of the Traditional Farm Fresh Turkey Association (TFTA) and therefore the birds we produce will meet or exceed the TFTA’s quality welfare standards. As a member our farm, its methods and facilities are inspected to ensure we meet the requirements of the association."

Frolesworth Lodge Farm

Frolesworth Lodge Farm has been selling bronze free-range turkeys for more than five years.

WHAT THEY SAID: "Our Farm is perfectly suited to rearing these special birds.

"The birds have room to roam and are cared for daily. Our turkeys come to us as young chicks in the early summer, spending time indoors and outdoors on pasture and woodland, free to wander and develop into quality birds.

"The secret is in the way we breed and raise our flocks, using the best of traditional farming methods and allowing the birds to roam freely in pastures and woodland.

"You can order online to have your fresh chilled turkey ready for collection prior to Christmas, or you can have your fresh chilled turkey delivered to you."